Stalk crop harvester



R. R. RANEY EI'AL 2,634,569

STALK CROP HARVESTER April 14, 1953- 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1951 April 14, 1953 R. R. RANEY EI'AL STALK CROP HARVESTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1951 flab/W1 6;

A ril 14, 1953 R. R. RANEY ETAL 2,634,

STALK CROP HARVESTER Filed March 1, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 14, 1953 R. R. RANEY ETAL 7 2,634,569

' STALK CROP HARVESTER Filed March 1, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 k I wn M- Patented Apr. 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STALK CROP HARVESTER Application March 1, 1951, Serial No. 213,398

15 Claims. (01. 56-46) This invention relates to harvesters and more specifically to machines for harvesting stalk crops growing in rows.

The accompanying drawings depict one form of a stalk crop harvesting machine commonly known as an ensilage harvester and specifically designed for operating on corn. The conventional corn harvester comprises severing means at the front end of a stalk receiving passage in which mechanism is arranged to accept the corn stalks in standing position after they are sever d close to the ground from the roots and to advance the butt ends of the stalks rearwardly at a faster rate than the upper portions thereof so that theoretically the stalks present their butt ends first to the cutter of a reducing mechanism located at the rear end of the passage.

In reality, however, this theoretical desirability has not been entirely realized in practical embodiments.

A general object of the invention is to devise a simple, practical stalk crop harvester which attains the desired objectives.

A further object is to design such a harvester comprising a compact, light weight and efficient mechanism which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object is to provide a harvester wherein the stalks are bent ahead of the severin means whereby as the machine is advanced toward each stalk, the butt ends thereof are entered first into the processing section of the machine.

A further object is to arrange the mechanism so that the stalks are prostrated before being severed and thus supported after severance and fed butt ends first to the conveyor delivering to the reducing mechanism.

A more specific object is to provide a support for the stalks in advance of the severing means, the support being designed to pass under and embrace the foliage of the corn stalk to support the plant off the ground in prostrated position after it is severed.

The invention contemplates a novel support structure having a forwardly flaring stalk-receiving passage flanked by foliage engaging and supporting trays which provide substantially smooth plant-supporting surfaces sloped downwardly rearwardly toward the mouth of the processing mechanism.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the specification and the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the novel tractor-mounted harvester, l

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side perspective view thereof drawn to a smaller scale.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the combined deflector and plant support structure shown in its operating position.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View of the mechanism with the outboard panel removed and with parts broken away, and

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the driving arrangement.

Describing the invention in detail, the harvester unit generally designated 2 is located at one side of a tractor providing a field traversing or ambulant support carrier structure 3 and supported in part in conventional manner from a rear axle housing between the body of the tractor and a laterally offset driving wheel 4 thereof as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The unit 2 includes a forward plant bending and support structure 6, said structure comprising at its forward edge a yoke or arch bar member generally indicated 8 having an upper inverted U-shaped portion sloping downwardly forwardly, the U-shaped portion having a cross-bar Ill or deflector at its upper extremity from opposite ends of which depend inboard and outboard downwardly forwardly diverging legs I2 and M. The lower extremities of legs l2 and M are bent arcuately inwardly toward each other to provide forwardly convexed guide portions l6 and I8 curvingly converging rearwardly at a relatively wide obtuse angle. These portions IS and [B may be straight, if desired. The inner or adjacent extremities of portions I6 and I8 curve more sharply at an acute angle rearwardly and then are continued in substantially straight lines to form condenser members 20 and 22, respectively, which slope downwardly and converge rearwardly to form a forwardly flaring plant receiving passage or guideway 24 therebetween. It will be noted that the lower portion of structure 8 has its leading edge extended a substantial distance ahead of the arch bar Ill and that the forward end of channel 24 is in advance of the bar Iii whereby the plant, such as corn, is unrestrictively directed by guide portions l5 and I8 to enter the forward end of passage 24 before the upper part of the plant is engaged by the bar l0.

As the machine is advanced toward the plant, the bar i8 bends the stalk forwardly and at the same time due to the narrowing of the passage as rearwardly, the foliage is gradually compressed. It will be appreciated that as the plant is being bent down, the foliage on the condenser members tends to be moved downwardly. This is accommodated somewhat by the downward rearward slope of the condenser members, however, the lowering of the foliage is resisted and it tends to bunch up and move above the condenser members and then spread out on the support platforms or sheet metal inboard and outboard panels 'or sections 2-6 and 28, each of which is convexed downwardly to provide: a downwardly rearwardly sloping tray or bed for the plant. Each panel 25 and 28 is connected to the yoke IO preferably by being rolled about the lower end of the related leg l2 or 'M and over the portion IE or I8 and the condenser .member 26 or 22. The panels may, -of course, be welded or otherwise secured to the :related :members.

The trays 26 and 28 provide top upwardly facing slide surfaces flanked by upstanding sides converging rearwardly to funnel the crop between the dividers.

The structure 6 is mounted on the tractor body as by brackets 30 and-32 connected to the inboard leg I2 of the bar and bolted or otherwise attached to adjacent portion of the body of the tractor.

The rear part or component of the harvester unit 2 is spaced rearwardly-of the rearextremity of the gathering and supporting structure 6 and comprises laterally spacedinboard and outboard stublike dividers or running boards Stand 35 with bottom shoes or runners 3B .and 40 adapted to slide along the ground to support the forward section of said rear part of the machine' The dividers 34 and 36 are joined on their top sides adjacent to their rear ends to the lower ends of forwardly :convexed shrouds or housings 4-2 and-44, respectively, said shrouds extending diagonally upwardly forwardly and .at their upper ends being interconnected by a cross panel or roof plate 46 and forming a tunnel structure therewith. The dividers are pointed forwardly and the shroud members 42 and Ml provide guide faces or cheeks 48 and 50 respectively at the lateral sides of -a mouth .or inlet 52 leading into a stalk-receiving trough 54. The top of the mouth is conve-xed downwardly at its leading end by bowing the :roof plate 46 which is then sloped downwardly rearwardly.

The mouth 52 contains intake means in the form of rotatable assemblies 53, .53 at opposite sides of the mouth thereof partially housed :in the respective shrouds. :Each assembly comprises a substantially upright slightly forwardly inclined shaft 55 having its .lower end journaled in a bearing -58 carried by a :bottom plate :59 f the related divider. The shaft 56 has secured thereto adjacent "to its lower .end a cutter disc 60 provided with radially extending vflingers or propelling means :62. The discs or cutter means are inclined forwardly downwardly and project radially into the mouth through an opening -63 in the inner side 'of the relatedrunner and-eheek plate. The assemblies are rotated contradirectionally, the inboard assembly rotating clockwise and the outboard assembly counterclockwise. It will be understood that the inboard and outboard assemblies may be interchanged and the direction of rotation thereof reversed also one of the disks may be replaced with a non-cutting serrated disc.

The upper .end'of each shaft 56 may be journaled in a bearing 6.6 mountedon the roof plate The trough 54 maybe open at the top-andmay comprise a sheet .metal panel 68 at each side.

thereof and an endless slatted apron conveyor iii at the bottom thereof extending between the panels 68. The apron moves longitudinally of the harvester unit and is rotatably supported at its front end by an idler roll 72 journaled on a substantially horizontal axis by a shaft 14 carried at each end in a suitable bearing '16 mounted on the adjacent side (panel 58 of the trough. The rear end of the apron is trained on a driving roll E3 having a shaft TS journaled at each end by means of a bearing carried on the adjacent side panel 68 of the trough. It will be seen that the apron is slightly inclined upwardly rearwardly and extends substantially perpendicular rto the axis of shafts 56, 56 and has its forward "end'immediately ."to'the rear and just clear of the .cutter discs and fingers thereon.

A floating pick-up roll 88 is positioned above the :apron, said roll being carried by a shaft 8| extending through bearings at each end (not shown) movably fitted into the side panels 53 of the trough to accommodate up and down movement of the roll 80 to pass uneven bunches of the forage. The feed roll maintains the forage upon the apron which discharges at its rear end between opposed top and bottom feed rolls 82 and 85 provided with shafts 86 and as respectively journaled on bearings carried by the side panels of the trough. The rolls 82 and 32 form receiving means for a reducing mechanism generally designated 96.

The reducing mechanism 99 comprises a drum casing having an inletopening '92 at its forward side in back of the feed rolls -82 and 8d. The lower lip of the opening 92 is provided with a transverse fixed cutter 'bar 95 secured to an arcuate circumferential panel 96 of the drum and side sheets .93 and Hill at the inboard and outboard ends of thedrum, the panel 93 extending between and being connected to the sheets .liland 199.

A drum'type-cutter head l 02 comprising a knife and flinger arrangement is rotatably mounted within the drum casing. The cutter head comprises a cylindrical member iii-'3 with a center shaft 1-65 journaled in bearings carried by the side sheets 98 and Hill.

The member .104 carries suitable knives It! serving also as flingers, the knives cooperating with the cutter bar to out the forage into suitable lengths as it is advanced into the opening 92, and to throw the cut forage through the discharge opening [QB in the top side of a pcripheral panel 96 of the drum, said opening lili communicating with a-pipe or chute 5 Hi adapted to discharge into a wagon as well known in the art.

The driving arrangement for the various rolls and shafts is shown diagrammatically in Figure 5. A pulley H2 is mounted .on a power takeoif shaft H4 extending horizontally from a side of the tractor adjacent the harvester unit 2. The pulley H2 drives a belt I I6 trained thereon, .said belt H6 being trained under a pulley H8 fixed on the inboard end of shaft 186 of the cutter head.

The inboard end of shaft :1 536 is also connected to another pulley I20 which drives a belt 122 which in turn drives a pulley I24 fixed to the inboard end of shaft 86 of the top feed roll 82. The outboard end of the shaft 85 is provided with :a sprocket I215 driving a chain [.21 trained on a sprocket I28 carriedby the outboard end of shaft 8| of feed roll 80.

The power take-off shaft H4 is also provided with a sprocket I30 driving a chain I32 which passes under an idler gear I34 journaled on the inboard end of shaft I06 of the cutter head. The chain I32 passes over a sprocket I36 connected to the inboard end of shaft 88 of the bottom feed roll 84. The outboard end of shaft 88 is provided with a sprocket I 33 driving a chain I40 trained on sprocket I42 connected to the outboard end of shaft 19 of the driving roll I8 of the apron I0. The chain I32 also drives a reduction worm and gear assembly I44 which is provided with a diagonal forwardly upwardly extending shaft I46 carrying at its upper end a bevel gear I48 which meshes with a bevel gear I50 connected to one end of a shaft I52 which is connected intermediate its ends to a bevel gear I54 driving a bevel gear I56 connected to the upper end of shaft 56 of the inboard assembly 53. Cross shaft I52, rotatably carried in a bearing (not shown) connected to the roof panel, is connected at its other end to a bevel gear I58 which meshes with a bevel gear I60 connected to the upper end of shaft 56 of the outboard assembly 53. The cross shaft I52 and the gearing thereon may be enclosed under a cover plate I6! fixed to the roof plate 46. The direction of rotation of the driving belts and chains is indicated by arrows in Figure 5.

In operation, the tractor with the harvester unit is driven along each row of corn. The forward section of the unit comprising the combined guide deflector and support structure operates in the following manner. The guide portions along the lower leading edge of this structure guide the stalk into the forward end of the flaring guide-way 24. After the stalk reaches a point directly underneath the cross bar I0, the upper part of the plant is bent forwardly while the lower part of the plant proceeds into the narrowing part of the guideway 24 whereupon the foliage at the lower part of the plant is compressed. The lower part of the plant then emerges from the rear end of the passageway 24 and due to the downwardly sloping nature of the passageway the foliage moves above the inner or rear end of the passageway 24 above the platforms 26 and 28. The butt end of the plant is then approached by the cutter discs of the assemblies 53, 53 which sever the partially prostrated plant whereupon its forward or upper end falls downwardly, the foliage thereof resting on the top sides of the trays 26 and 26, while the butt end of the plant is flung rearwardly upwardly by the flingers 62, which form intake or charging means of the processing mechanism, onto the top of the conveyor apron I0 beneath the floating pick-up roll 80, the conveyor apron discharging between the opposed rolls 62 and 84 which move the plant across the cutter bar whereupon the plant is shredded to desired lengths and flung by the knives IIlI which throw the material through the opening I68 into the pipe IIO which discharges into the wagon. It will be seen that the rear ends of the trays with their rearwardly converging sides, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, gravitationally funnel the plants to an area directly in front of the tunnel structure between the dividers and that the rear extremities of the trays are spaced a substantial distance ahead of the tunnel structure so'that as each plant is moved ofi a tray it is whipped downwardly due to the inclination of the conveyor I0 and the direction of rotation of the roll 80 whereby the upper end of each stalk is dragged along the ground directly in front of se the cutters thus sweeping any fallen ears of corn or other plant particles into the flingers 62 for movement thereby into the trough. Furthermore, the undersides of the trays which face downwardly and forwardly, as seen in Figure 1, provide secondary deflectors for immature plants or partially fallen stalks thereby partially bending them forwardly so that all the stalks may be generally aligned or oriented parallel to the line of draft of the machine and fed endwise into the tunnel structure and thereby prevent clogging. Inasmuch as the trays are convexed downwardly with the crest of curvature intermediate their lateral extremes, as best seen in Figure 1, they develop guide channels along the members 20 and 22 into which the upper ends of these bent or immature plants enter. These latter plants, of course, grow in or along the rows and therefore are in a position for such guidance.

The forward section of the rear part of the harvester is swingable vertically on the shaft I4 (Fig. 4) pivotally connecting the, shrouds and structure carried thereby with the side panels 68 of the trough. The paneling of the forward section is connected to braces I64 which are connected to a lever assembly I66 pivoted at its lower end on the shaft I4 and at its upper end to the forward end of a hydraulic motor I68 which at its rear end is connected at III) to the pipe H0 and bracing structure I12 thereof connected to suitable portions of the supporting tractor. Tension springs I14, I14 are arranged in parallel with motor I68 to provide a gentle letdown for the forward section and to assist the raising thereof by the motor.

What is claimed is: g

'1. In a corn harvester, an ambulant carrier, a forward corn stalk guide and support assembly connected to said carrier in a position to normally engage standing corn stalks intermediate the ends thereof, a harvesting component connected to said carrier behind said assembly in tandem therewith and including a forward tunnel structure with forwardly directed, laterally spaced dividers adapted to ride directly upon the ground for gathering fallen and broken plants from the ground into said tunnel structure, cutter means within the tunnel structure at the bottom thereof adapted to sever the stalks passing through the structure adjacent to the ground line, propelling means cooperatively as sociated with said cuttermeans for moving the stalks rearwardly into said tunnel structure, said assembly comprising a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending trays defining a plant passageway therebetween for guiding the stalk therethrough, a plant bending member disposed across said passageway at a level to engage the upper extents of the stalks passing through the passageway and adapted to bend the stalks forwardly as the harvester is propelled against the stalks to prostrate the stalks so as to present the butt ends thereof to the cutter means whereupon each stalk is severed by the cutter means and free to fall onto the tray thereadjacent, said trays being spaced at their rear extremities forwardly of said tunnel structure a distance suf ficient to accommodate the upper ends of the stalks to drop off the trays to the ground as the stalks are advanced into the tunnel structure by said propelling means whereupon the upper ends of the stalks are caused to drag upon the ground and in cooperation with said propelling means ag-canoes irftoasweepiplantrparticlesslaydngzuporrdzhesground rintossaict -ltunnel:structm'e.

'5 2. Arrow '-.cropzsilagetaharyester 'comprising :amb'ulant carrierzmeansjrfore and aft components -;arranged'in :tandemupon said carrier means and .;spaced -longitudinallyrrwith" respect o to :the line of draftzof: the harvester; 'said' fore component :including laterally-rspacedr sections flanking a ,plant passageway.therebetween; at least one of "said-sections presenting .an upwardly .facing,

-a-:downwardly'rearwardlyzfsloping' continuousv sur- 1: face-spaced at its dischargerextremity forwardly of:said:aft-.componentxand formed and arranged to funnel;the:cropsiztojdirectlyin front of said aft -component;an-archbar connected to said carrier 1 means-and" extending-across the passageway at a .level adapted to'erug'age. the upper extremities -4,of stalks passing throughithe passageway to bend the same, forwardly while the aft. component is advanced upon the butt end of the stalk-said aft-component includipg atforward tunnel struc- :ture with-runners riding-.gupon the ground, and

disposed laterally outwardly of ..the discharge extremity of saidesurface cutters. means within the tunnel structureadaptedto sever the-stalks 'surface whereuponthe-*stalk is caused to lay upon the aprondn a diagonally-downward forward position with its upper end dragging upon the ground between the dividers while it-is being 'moved rearwardly'through said tunnel structure :whereby sweeping the crop particles oif the ground onto said= apron.

3. In arow -crop 'si-lage' harvester, the com- .bina'tion with aastalk' cutter, of a stalk bender spaced forward and above said cutter and operating to bendl'the: stalks forward. before they-i.

l, are cut and .to' hold the samevbent forward while they are beingzcut; andaa stalk supportercomprising a vpain'fof' trayswlocated below the stalk bender-and extending." forwardly .and rearwardly thereofabove said-stalkcutter in front thereof 7 andabetween whichthe standing. stalks are passed :and onto whichthe stalksyiafter being out, are caused toidirectly fallibysaid stalk bender, said trays sloping downwardly .rearwardly and having upstanding rearwardly converging stalk-confin- :ing; sides andvproviding; slide surfaces for the stalk 'tfalling thereupontwherebyunder forward move- :ment. of thd-harvesterzthe':stalks upon the-trays Wilrgravitaterearwardly.

4. "Ihe combination: with=-ayrow crop silage harvester comprisingfore and aft components, of s field-traversing carrier means 7' supporting said 1 components in: spaced relati n,"said aft component including a structure with ground-engaging' forwardly projecting runners for gathering props slaying vupon: the; ground cutting means within the structure f cr ;;sever ing from the .gl'OIlIldf-S t&1k5i entered into the, structure. coniveyor meanswithinxsaid' structurearranged in 1 receiving relationshi tossaid cutter means for moving the; stalks; rearwardly from", the cutter emeansssaid forward. component-comprising a ,pairv of :laterally spaced trayswflankin g, a plant passageway,therebetweenrand positionediasub- .stantial distance above ethe ground, for,- engag- -ingiand-guidingstanding stalks:to1said passage- -:way,: a deflector. extending across said; passage- -*way inia -posi-tion" to engage. the upper" parts .aof

stalks and deflect the: stalks forwardly ounder'for- 5 "ward movement 'of the harvester and" operating 'toyhold the; stalks =bent" forward while they vare being cut whereupon the forwardly-bent portions of the stalks are caused to fall onto an adjacent' tray while the butt ends thereofare l0 entered-by said cutter means on'the conveyor means, said trays 1 sloping downwardly t-rearwardly-andrproviding top surfaces upon which said stalks are caused to slide gravitationally --rearwardly into said structure, the undersides of said trays facing downwardly and forwardly and eifectiveto1;bend substantially forwardly immature plants or-bent stalks which, when entered between the dividers and out, will .bealigned substantially'parallel with the stalks carried-by the trays for delivery to theconveyor means.

5. In an ,ensilage harvester, the com ination with a stalk cutter, of a stalk bender located above and forwardly 01" the cutter and operating to bend the stalks forward while they are being cut, and a two part stalk support located above and forward of the cutter beneath the bender and having between the two parts thereof a passage through which standing stalksi may pass under forward movement of the harvester, said two parts characterized by upwardlydacing static'surfaces sloping downwardly rearvwardly to effect a. gravitational rearward discharge of the stalks deposited thereupon.

6. A- com harvester according to claim 5, and said two parts further'characterized by down- .wardly and-forwardly facing'surfaces engageable with plants passing there-beneath to bend the same forwardly and thus orient them in the same direction as those; passing through the passageway.

7. For a harvester of the character describedthe combination with an ambulant carrier, .of a stalk supporter and deflector carried ,thereby and comprising two parts and having a passage therebetween through which standing stalks may pass under forward movement of the harvester,. at least one of said parts including a tray positioned a substantial distance above the ground and sloping downwardly rearwardly and presenting on itsup-per side a slide surface for supporting-stalks deposited thereupon, for gravitationally discharging the same rearwardly, the tray further; presenting a downwardly rearwardly sloping ,undersurface adapted to forrwardly prostrate plants passing therebeneath and engaged thereby.

8. Iihe combination. according to claim 7 -wherein saidwtray'is bowed'downwardly transversely to the .lineof draft of the harvester with the; crest curvature 'I disposed intermediate its lateral extremes.

9. For a plant. harvester of the type described -and having Va plant engaging structure at its leading end, said 'structurescomprising a yoke bar at itsleading edge including an upper crosspiece extending .transverselyof the line of draft .lof the,harvester,; aieg; at. each end of the crosspiece;slopingv'downwardly forwardly, thereof, said legs being bent toward eachother at their lower ends, andforming forwardly. bowed guide por- \tions,said portions beingcontinued at. their adjacent ends las;rearwardlyv extending substantially straight sections .converginggancl sloping o downwardly rearwardly andv defining a plant 're- 175.ceiving passage..therebetweem; and a, p1ant;sup

porting tray at each side of the passage carried by said yoke bar.

10. A plant engaging structure of the type described comprising a bar having an upper cross-member adapted to be positioned at a level to engage the upper extents of standing stalks and legs sloping downwardly forwardly from opposite ends thereof, said legs being bent toward each other and presenting forwardly facing rearwardly curvingly converging guide portions along the lower part of the leading edge of said structure and spaced below the cross-member a distance to occupy a level to engage the intermediate section of standing stalks.

11. A structure according to claim 10 wherein the adjacent ends of said portions are extended rearwardly as substantially straight members converging rearwardly of said structure and defining a forwardly flaring plant receiving passage extending forwardly and rearwardly of the cross-member generally longitudinally of the line of draft of the structure.

12. For a harvester of the class described, the combination with an ambulant carrier, of a plant guide supported from the carrier and comprising a two part structure including a pair of laterally spaced transversely aligned longitudinal members defining a plant passageway therebetween, said members positioned at a level to engage at their forward extremities standing stalks intermediate the ends thereof and guide the same therealong, said members sloping downwardly rearwardly from their front extremities and progressively engaging lower and lower parts of the stalks as they pass through the passageway.

13. For a harvester of the type described, a plant support structure comprising a plurality of side-by-side parts defining a plant guideway therebetween sloping downwardly rearwardly of the structure, and presenting plant support sur- 10 faces alongside of said guideway sloping downwardly rearwardly.

14. For a harvester of the class described, the combination with an ambulant carrier, of, a guide supported from the carrier and comprising a multipart structure including a pair of laterally spaced, transversely aligned, longitudinal members spaced a substantial distance off the ground and defining a plant passageway therebetween through which intermediate portions of standing stalks may pass for guidance between said members under forward movement of the harvester, a plant bender disposed intermediate the ends of the passageway across thereof at a level to engage the upper extremities of the stalks to bend the same forwardly while passing through said passageway, said members sloping downwardly rearwardly whereby they are considerably lower at their rear extremes than at their forward ends to prevent stripping off the foliage from the stalks as they are being bent.

15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein said members converge rearwardly whereby diminishing the lateral extent of the passageway in the direction toward the rear end thereof.

RUSSELL R. RANEY. EDWIN F. HUDDLE. OTTO E. HIN'IZ.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,165,758 Cooke Dec. 28, 1915 1,528,635 Ronning et a1. Mar. 3, 1925 1,903,335 Falkiner Apr. 4, 1933 2,442,520 Van Sickle June 1, 1948 2,477,794 Gehl Aug. 2, 1949 2,553,855 Haapala May 22, 1951 

